Incorrodible aluminum alloy



Patented Feb. 18, 1930 PATENT OFFICE.

HANS SCHORN, or LAUSITZ, GERMANY INCORRODIBLE ALUMINUM ALLOY No Drawing. Application filed September 15, 1927, Serial No. 219,818, and in Germany September 18, 1926.

My invention relates to a new aluminum alloy and the method of producing the same, and more particularly to an alloy which will be incorrodible to a high degree and, if desired, even sea-w-ater-corrosion-proof.

Many attempts have been made heretofore to produce metallic aluminum which will resist the attacks of chemical reagents in a more satisfactory manner than the several sorts of commercial aluminum existing in the trade, but all of the various aluminum alloys hitherto manufactured for the purpose failed more or less to accomplish the object aimed at, so that it is generally believed now as ever,

that only metallic aluminum of a highest degree of purity will possess the desired physical properties.

After much study and research I have found that by adding 0.05 to 1 percent of titanium to commercial aluminum of the trade an alloy is obtained which will resist the influence of most of the chemical agents in the same degree as metallic aluminum of highest purity and in which in somecases even increased physical properties may be secured.

In practicing the invention the alloying addition may be given to the aluminum either in the electrolytic bath or in the melting crucible or the like. In the case of the electrolytic process I prefer to employ alumina or any other suitable aluminum compounds containing titanium compounds or alternatively alumina and titanic acid.

For ship-building purposes and for other purposes requiring a metal which is seawater-corrosion-proof, pure aluminum cannot be employed because it is too soft. On the other hand aluminum alloys as-hitherto pro- 40, duced for the purpose are objectionable for the reason that they do not possess the desired physical properties in the required degree and frequently cannot be machined or worked with readiness, the less so since some of the known aluminum alloys are pronounced cast alloys and some are pronounced rolled alloys.

Now, I have found that a sea-water-corrosion-proof aluminum alloy is obtained by adding to the above described incorrodible alloy containing from 0.05 to 1 percent .of

titanium, a small proportion say of 1 to 6 percent of magnesium, so that an alloy produced in this way will contain commercial aluminum as its main constituent or ingredient and titanium and magnesium as its alloying ingredients. I have ascertained by tests and experiments made in the North Sea and extended over several weeks, that an alloy produced according to my invention is perfectly sea-watercorrosion-proof. Another advantage of the alloy embodying my invention resides in that the same can be readily machined and worked in any usual manner.

In some cases I subjectthe alloy produced in accordance with my invention, to a subsequent heat treatment to be carried out in the usual way for refining purposes so that increased mechanical and physical properties will be securedin the alloy thus treated and refined.

From the foregoing it is believed that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be'readily understood and, therefore, further detail description is deemed unnecessary. It will be evident, however, that my invention, while being adhered to in its main essentials, may be varied and adapted in many ways, according to the requirements desired or most suitable under different circumstances, and I therefore aim in the appended claim to embrace all modifications falling fairly into the scope of my invention. IVhat I claim is: A sea-water-corrosion-proof alloy containing aluminum as its main ingredient, 1 to 6 percent of magnesium together with 0.05 to 1 percent of titanium.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HANS SOHORN. 

